28.10.2014 Views

Fault Detection and Diagnostics for Rooftop Air Conditioners

Fault Detection and Diagnostics for Rooftop Air Conditioners

Fault Detection and Diagnostics for Rooftop Air Conditioners

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

86<br />

per<strong>for</strong>m emergency service when an air conditioner is not working or is unable<br />

to maintain com<strong>for</strong>t. Even if preventive maintenance is per<strong>for</strong>med, the<br />

procedures only involve routine checks that can only detect severe <strong>and</strong> obvious<br />

faults. According to the analysis of Cali<strong>for</strong>nia site data, some systems degraded<br />

significantly due to faults which were not detected during preventive<br />

maintenance service.<br />

4. Compared with service costs, most HVAC hardware replacement costs are<br />

small (with the exception of a faulty compressor). A liquid line filter/drier costs<br />

around $15, while the labor fee <strong>for</strong> replacement costs about $300. An<br />

evaporator filter costs around $2, while the labor fee <strong>for</strong> replacement costs $30.<br />

R-22 refrigerant costs less than $2/lb, while leak checking plus recharging costs<br />

more than $400.<br />

5. An automated FDD technique can detect <strong>and</strong> diagnose common faults, which<br />

has been demonstrated through laboratory <strong>and</strong> field tests.<br />

Based on the above assumptions, the following sections analyze the potential<br />

savings associated with FDD.<br />

5.1 Preventive Maintenance Inspection Savings (PMIS)<br />

According to discussions with service technicians, regular preventive<br />

maintenance inspections are often applied to RTU systems <strong>for</strong> commercial use. Table 5-1<br />

lists the costs of planned preventative maintenance inspections done by a technician.<br />

These costs only cover inspections <strong>and</strong> some easy maintenance. Power washing of<br />

condenser <strong>and</strong> evaporator coils is quoted separately. It can be seen that the average<br />

annual planned maintenance inspection costs are around $270.<br />

If an automated FDD system were applied, most (e.g, 75%) of the planned<br />

preventative maintenance inspection fees of $270 would be saved. If the average<br />

equipment life <strong>for</strong> an RTU is 10 years, then the life-long preventive maintenance

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!